attainments admirably fitted him for the responsible position to which lie was called as professor of ancient literature in the Alabama State University, where he remained from 1837 until 1856. His
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MARIA BREWSTER BROOKS STAFFORD.
health failing, he resided his place in the State University Prof, and Mrs. Stafford were then invited to take charge of the Alabama Female Institute, where the professor, in the companionship of books and friends, found rest and solace the remainder of his life. Three children were born to them, two daughters and a son. For several years Mrs. Stafford gave all her time to the work of educating and character-building. She closed her school during the Civil War and opened it anew in 1865. She taught till 1872, devoting herself thereafter to her husband. The death of her husband in 1873 was followed in 1880 by the loss of her daughter Alice, a bride of six weeks. In 1884 she went to live with her first-born child,
Belle, the wife of Rev. J. P. Dawson, of Danville, Ky. Her only son, F. M. Stafford, lives in Chattanooga, Tenn.
STANFORD, Mrs. Jane Lathrop, philanthropist, born in Albany, N.Y., 25th August, 1825. Her early life was passed in her native place until her marriage to Leland Stanford, a young man of
great industry, courage and ambition, but without competency, so far as mere material prosperity is concerned. During the earlier years of struggle and varying fortune she proved herself a true, devoted and faithful wife, gladly sharing all the vicissitudes that came to the lot of her husband, whose indefatigable energy was tested in many a well-fought battle with ungracious fortune. When at last that triumph of human genius and endeavor, the overland railroad, brought marvelous wealth to the heroic men who planned and builded "far better than they knew," Mrs. Stanford found herself in a position to dispense vast means in whatever way she desired.
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JANE LATHROP STANFORD.
She gave with liberal hand to charities, and helped with generous and wise consideration families and individuals who needed assistance. Mrs. Stanford's social life began in 1861, when Mr. Stanford was elected Governor of California. In 1874 Governor Stanford built a magnificent home in San Francisco, but of late years he and Mrs. Stanford have preferred "Palo Alto," their country seat, situated some thirty miles from San Francisco. There they have raised to the memory of their only child that seat of learning which bears the name "The Leland Stanford Junior University." In October, 1891, its doors were opened to over four-hundred students. In this memorial is centered the interest of both Senator and Mrs. Stanford. In all the details incident to the completion of the university Mrs. Stanford had a hand. Not a building was erected without the plans being submitted first to her, and their interior arrangement, decoration and furnishing have been executed under her immediate supervision. She has erected, at her own individual expense, a museum which will contain works of art and a collection of curios gathered by her son during his tours in foreign lands. Senator Stanford gives his wife his closest confidence in all business matters, whether political or financial; she has consequently a wide range of experience in worldly affairs. Besides the gigantic endowment to the university, she has given bountifully to many charitable institutions. In Albany the Children's Hospital was built from a gift of one-hundred-thousand dollars from her and is supported by an endowment of one-hundred-thousand dollars more. The kindergarten schools in San Francisco have also received a gift of one-hundred-sixty-thousand dollars from her. These are her public works of charity, done in remembrance of her son, but her silent deeds of mercy are almost as great as those about which the world knows. Her numerous servants have the greatest affection for her, and to
